Surgery overseas
The week's news at a glance.
Dublin
Irish patients who have been waiting for operations for more than a year will be flown to Britain for surgery, the Health Ministry announced this week. Ireland’s private hospitals can’t absorb the overflow from the public health service, so the ministry will pay travel costs for patients to be treated at private hospitals in Liverpool and Manchester. Ministry official Maureen Lynott stressed that all those who need immediate surgery will still get it in Ireland. “The people who are on long-term waiting lists do not usually have life-threatening conditions,” she said. “They have life-discomforting conditions, such as varicose veins, arthritic hips, and cataracts.”
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
The struggles of Aston Martin
In the Spotlight The car manufacturer, famous for its association with the James Bond franchise, is ‘running out of road’
-
The end of ‘golden ticket’ asylum rights
The Explainer Refugees lose automatic right to bring family over and must ‘earn’ indefinite right to remain
-
Grecotel Luxme Dama Dama: Greek luxury with a breezy beach vibe
The Week Recommends Rhodes is reimagined in this refined and relaxed resort